Recent IELTS Cue Card Topics
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- Written by IELTS Mentor
Recent IELTS Cue Card/ Candidate Task Card Questions: (Year: 2023-24)
The following Cue Card (also known as Candidate Task Card) topics are taken from recent IELTS exams from different countries and test dates. We have listed these fresh topics so that you can look at the questions and get an idea about these topics. You should also read some of the model/sample answers to these new topics to have a solid idea about how to answer them.
Please note than the answers to these recent Cue Card topics might seem a bit larger than expected. But be assured that this was done intentionally. We tried to give you a large answer so that after you read them, you can generate your own idea which would ultimately allow you to give a convincing answer while you take the IELTS speaking test, especially the Second part of the Speaking test. Good luck!
Describe some technology (e.g. an app, phone, software program) that you decided to stop using.
You should say:
- when and where you got this technology
- why you started using this technology
- why you decided to stop using it
and explain how you feel about the decision you made.
Click here for the answer to this topic
Describe a subject you enjoyed studying at school.
You should say:
- what subject it was
- what class you were then
- how interesting it was
and explain why you enjoyed studying this subject at school.
Click here for the answer to this topic
Describe a time when you were sleepy but had to stay awake.
You should say:
- when it was and where you were
- why you were sleepy
- why you had to stay awake
and how you stayed awake at that moment.
Describe a time when you were in a public place and you overheard a stranger talking on the phone.
You should say:
- where this happened
- when it happened
- what the person was talking about
and explain how you felt about hearing the conversation.
Describe an occasion when you had to wait a long time for someone or something to arrive.
You should say:
- who or what you were waiting for
- how long you had to wait
- why you had to wait a long time
and explain how you felt about waiting for such a long time.
Describe an interesting talk or lecture you have heard or attended to.
- who was the speaker
- when and where you heard/attended it
- what it was about
and explain why you think it was interesting.
Describe a time when you moved to a new school.
You should say:
- when it was
- why you moved
- how old you were then
and explain how you felt about it.
Describe a cold winter morning you remember.
You should say:
- when it was
- what you were doing
- what the temperature was like
and explain why you remember this particularly cold winter morning.
Describe a crowded place you have been to.
You should say:
- where the place is (or, was)
- when you went there
- with whom you went there
and explain how you felt about this crowded place.
Describe a time when you complained about something.
- what was the issue
- whom you complained about it
- what the result was
and explain how you felt about it.
Describe a person who cares about the environment.
You should say:
- who this person is
- how you know him/her
- what he/she does
and explain why you think this person cares about the environment.
Describe a skill that takes a long time to learn.
- what the skill is
- how useful that skill is in our daily life
- why it takes a long time to learn
and explain how you can learn that skill.
Describe a success your friend has had that you are proud of.
- what success it was
- how he/she achieved it
- how easy or difficult it was for your friend
and explain why you are proud of it.
Describe an outdoor activity that you haven’t tried yet and would like to do in the future.
You should say:
- what outdoor activity it is
- why you have not tried it yet
- when you plan to do it
and explain why you are interested in doing this outdoor activity.
Describe a shop that recently opened in your city/country.
- what its name is
- where it is
- who the typical customers are
and say if you have bought anything from the shop. Why/Why not?
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an invention that changed how people live.
- what it is
- how it changed people's lives
- the benefits it brought
and say if it is more important for older or younger people.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe your idea of a perfect holiday destination.
You should say:
- where it would be
- what type of place it would be
- how it will look like
and explain why you think it would be a perfect holiday destination.
Talk about a piece of clothing that you received as a gift recently.
- what it was
- when you received it
- who gave it to you
and explain if this gift was important to you.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an ambitious person you know.
You should say:
- who the person is
- how you know this person
- what his/her ambition is
and explain how important his/her ambition is.
Describe a book that had a major influence on you.
- what the book was
- how you first heard of the book
- what is the main story of the book
and why it plays such an important role in your life.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a website you often browse.
You should say:
- what is it
- how long have you been using it
- detailed information about the website
and explain why you often browse this website.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an important decision/choice that you made in your life.
You should say:
- what the decision/choice was
- when you took this decision
- What the result of the decision was and whether it was a good choice.
and explain why it was an important decision or choice for you.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe your dream workplace.
You should say:
- what it would look like
- what facilities it would have
- where it would be
and say if you think you will ever work in a place like that or not.
Describe a stressful day at school/ university/ work.
You should say:
- how the day started
- how things went wrong
- who the people involved were
and explain why it was a stressful day.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Talk about a pet that you or someone you know once had.
You should say:
- what kind of animal it was
- what kind of care it needed
- what you liked/ disliked about it
and explain why this is a popular type of pet.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an occasion or event when you were congratulated.
You should say:
- what was the occasion
- when was it
- who congratulated you and why
and explain how did this make you feel.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a time when you needed to search for important information on the internet.
You should say:
- when it was
- what information you needed
- how long it took you to get the information
and explain how you felt after you found the information on the internet.
Describe a nation (not your own) that you know well.
You should say:
- which nation it is
- what and how you learned about this nation.
- why you are interested in this nation
and explain what you like most about it.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an outdoor activity that you did for the first time.
You should say:
- what you did
- where and when you did it
- how you felt about it later
and say if you would recommend this activity to your friends.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a building/structure with architectural interest.
You should say:
- what is it
- what is the historical significance of it
- why should we preserve it
and describe the building/structure in details.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe someone you know who enjoys outdoor activities.
You should say:
- who the person is
- what outdoor activities he/she does
- how often he/she does outdoor activities
and explain why you think he/she enjoys outdoor activities.
Describe the job/ career you have or hope to have.
You should say:
- what the job is
- what is involves
- why you would choose it
and explain why you are interested in this job.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a piece of modern technology you own.
You should say:
- what it is
- what you use it for
- how long you have owned it
And explain why it is important for you.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Talk about a part of your city that is changing.
You should say:
- where is it
- how is it changing
- why is it changing
and explain how you feel about this change.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe something you can make by yourself.
You should say:
- what it is
- how you make it
- whether you like to make it
and explain how you feel about making it yourself.
Describe a job that helps make the world a better place.
You should say:
- what job is it
- how you learned about it
- why do you think it helps so much
and explain why do you think it can make the world a better place.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a dish you know how to cook.
You should say:
- what the ingredients are
- where you learned it
- how to cook it
and tell if this is an easy dish to cook or not.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an old object which your family has kept for a long time.
You should say:
- what the object is
- where it came from
- how long it has been in your family
and explain why your family has kept it.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an interesting conversation you had with someone you did not know.
You should say:
- who the person was
- where the conversation took place
- what you talked about
and explain why you found the conversation interesting.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an important email you have received.
You should say:
- who sent it to you.
- when you got it.
- what was it about
and explain why this email was important to you.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe an interesting advertisement you watched on TV.
You should say:
- what was it
- when you watched it
- what was it about
and explain why it was interesting.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a thing that has become a fashion or a matter of status nowadays.
You should say:
- what is it
- why people use it
- do you have it
and explain what influences it has on people nowadays.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a time when you were appreciated for something you did.
You should say:
- when it was
- what you did
- who appreciated you
and explain how you felt when you were appreciated for the thing you did.
Describe a historical event that you find interesting.
You should say:
- when it took place
- what historic connection it has
- how it impacted the history
and explain why you find it interesting.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe something special that you saved money to buy.
You should say:
- what was it
- why you bought is
- how long you saved money to buy it
and explain why it was important for you to buy it.
The Answer to this Cue Card Topic
Describe a female leader you like.
You should say:
- who is she
- where is she from
- what she does for others
and explain why you like her.
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